U.S. patent application number 16/396404 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-07 for systems and methods to manage themes in lighting modules.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hunter Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to John Malaugh, Peter John Woytowitz.
Application Number | 20190342978 16/396404 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66429698 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-07 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190342978 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Malaugh; John ; et
al. |
November 7, 2019 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO MANAGE THEMES IN LIGHTING MODULES
Abstract
A lighting system includes lighting fixtures and a lighting
controller that sends commands and data over an AC power line to
power and control the lighting fixtures. Lighting themes are
uniquely programmable color and intensity that are applied to a
collection of lighting groups to achieve different lighting modes
instantly, without the delay that programming each lighting fixture
individually incurs. The groups of lighting modules receive theme
lighting information over the power line and store the theme
information in memory. The lighting controller sends a single
command to the collections of the lighting groups to apply the
theme. Each lighting module retrieves and applies the theme
information.
Inventors: |
Malaugh; John; (San Diego,
CA) ; Woytowitz; Peter John; (San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hunter Industries, Inc. |
San Marcos |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
66429698 |
Appl. No.: |
16/396404 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62667321 |
May 4, 2018 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 47/185 20200101;
H05B 47/10 20200101; H05B 35/00 20130101; H05B 45/00 20200101; H05B
47/11 20200101 |
International
Class: |
H05B 37/02 20060101
H05B037/02; H05B 33/08 20060101 H05B033/08 |
Claims
1. A system to manage lighting themes in a plurality of lighting
modules, the system comprising: a lighting controller configured to
receive AC power from a primary AC power source and user input
indicative of lighting theme information and generate a data
encoded power signal to provide power and encoded messages based on
the lighting theme information over a two-wire network, the
lighting theme information including a request to implement a
lighting theme of a plurality of lighting themes; and a plurality
of lighting modules, each lighting module of the plurality of
lighting modules configured to receive the data encoded power
signal over the two-wire network, each lighting module including at
least one lamp, lamp driver circuitry, a microprocessor, and memory
storing instructions, that when executed by the processor,
configure each lighting module to: decode at least a portion of the
encoded message, the at least a portion including an indication of
the requested lighting theme; retrieve one or more stored settings
for the at least one lamp that are associated with the requested
lighting theme from the memory; and execute the retrieved
settings.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the lighting theme information
further includes commands based on the user input to implement the
requested lighting theme.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the instructions further configure
each lighting module to decode a second portion of the encoded
message after executing the retrieved settings associated with the
requested lighting theme, the second portion of the encoded message
including the commands based on the user input.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the instructions further configure
each lighting module to compare the commands based on the user
input from the decoded second portion with the one or more stored
settings to determine changes in the requested lighting theme.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the instructions further configure
each lighting module to revise the one or more stored settings
based on the determined changes in the requested lighting
theme.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein the instructions further configure
each lighting module to execute the commands based on the user
input from the decoded second portion when the comparison indicates
changes in the requested lighting theme.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein the instructions further configure
each lighting module to replace the one or more stored settings in
the memory with the commands based on the user input from the
decoded second portion.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one lamp is an LED,
an incandescent light, a low voltage light, or a line voltage
light.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the commands provide indications
to control one or more of ON/OFF times, color, color temperature,
or intensity of the at least one lamp.
10. A lighting module comprising: at least one lamp; a
microprocessor, and memory storing instructions, that when executed
by the microprocessor, cause the lighting module to: receive a data
encoded power signal over a two-wire network, the data encoded
power signal providing power and encoded messages, the encoded
messages including lighting theme information indicative of a
lighting theme of a plurality of lighting themes; decode at least a
portion of the received message, the at least a portion including
an indication of the lighting theme; and execute one or more
settings stored in the memory for the at least one lamp and
associated with the lighting theme based on the indication of the
lighting theme.
11. The lighting module of claim 10 wherein the instructions
further cause the lighting module to decode a second portion of the
encoded message after executing the stored settings associated with
the lighting theme, the second portion of the encoded message
including commands associated with the lighting theme
information.
12. The lighting module of claim 11 wherein the instructions
further cause the lighting module to compare the commands from the
decoded second portion with the stored settings to determine
changes in the lighting theme.
13. The lighting module of claim 12 wherein the instructions
further cause the lighting module to store in the memory the
determined changes in the lighting theme.
14. The lighting module of claim 12 wherein the instructions
further cause the lighting module to implement the commands from
the decoded second portion when the comparison indicates changes in
the lighting theme.
15. The lighting module of claim 10 wherein each lighting module of
the plurality of lighting modules is addressable.
16. A method to manage lighting themes in lighting modules, the
method comprising: receiving at a plurality of lighting modules a
data encoded power signal over a two-wire network, the data encoded
power signal providing power and encoded messages, the encoded
messages including lighting theme information indicative of a
lighting theme of a plurality of lighting themes; decoding, with at
least one lighting module of the plurality of lighting modules, at
least a portion of the received message, the at least a portion
including an indication of the lighting theme, the at least one
lighting module comprising memory and at least one lamp; and
applying, with the at least one lighting module, one or more
settings stored in the memory for the at least one lamp and
associated with the lighting theme.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising decoding, with the at
least one lighting module, a second portion of the encoded message
after applying the stored settings associated with the lighting
theme, the decoded second portion including commands associated
with the lighting theme.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising comparing, with the
at least one lighting module, the commands from the decoded second
portion with the stored settings to determine changes in the
lighting theme.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising applying, with the at
least one lighting module, the commands from the decoded second
portion when the comparison indicates changes in the lighting
theme.
20. The method of claim 18 further comprising, with the at least
one lighting module, over-writing the stored settings in the memory
with the commands from the decoded second portion when the
comparison indicates changes in the lighting theme.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS
[0001] Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic
priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed
with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference
under 37 CFR 1.57.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Lighting systems can include a plurality of lights connected
to a transformer. There may be one or more "legs" or sets of wires
coming out of the transformer, each connected to at least one
lighting module. A timer box connects to the transformer. The user
programs the on/off times and all of the lights energize in unison,
such that all lighting modules connected to a particular
transformer turn ON or OFF together regardless of which leg they
are on.
[0003] Some manufacturers can provide lighting systems with
addressable lighting modules. The timer box of the traditional
lighting system is replaced with a lighting controller that
supplies the lighting modules with a separate power and data
signal. Each lighting module has an address and is independently
addressable by the lighting controller via the data signal. These
networked lighting systems provide the lighting modules with two
sets of wires instead of the one or more legs. One set provides a
power signal to illuminate the lights, lamps, or LEDs and a second
set provides the lighting module with a data signal. The user
programs the lighting controller to turn-on and turn-off lights of
a lighting module at individual addresses such that a single
lighting module can turn-on or turn-off independently of the other
lighting modules in the network, when, for example, the data signal
carries the address of a particular lighting module.
SUMMARY
[0004] The innovations described in the claims each have several
aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the
desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims,
some prominent features of this disclosure will now be briefly
described.
[0005] A lighting system includes lighting modules and a lighting
controller that sends commands and data over an AC power line to
power and control the lighting modules. The lighting system can be
an indoor lighting system for commercial or residential use. The
lighting system can be an outdoor lighting system for commercial or
residential use. The AC power line can be low voltage, such as
approximately .+-.12 VAC or the like. The AC power line can be line
voltage or approximately line voltage, such as, for example but not
limited to 100 VAC 50 Hz or 60 Hz, 110 VAC 50 Hz or 60 Hz, 115 VAC
50 Hz or 60 Hz, 220 VAC 50 Hz or 60 Hz, 230 VAC 50 Hz or 60 Hz, 240
VAC 50 Hz or 60 Hz and the like. The AC power line from the
lighting controller can be a two-wire path that carries the
power/data signal to the lighting modules.
[0006] The lighting modules can be uniquely addressable by the
lighting controller. The lighting modules can be grouped into
lighting groups or zones and each group or zone of lighting modules
can be addressable. Each group or zone can include one or more
lighting modules. Each lighting module can include one or more
lamps. A lamp can be an LED. The lighting module can control one or
more of ON/OFF times, color, color temperature, and intensity of
the one or more lamps based on the commands and data received over
the AC power line from the lighting controller.
[0007] Lighting themes are uniquely programmable ON/OFF, color,
color temperature, and/or intensity that are applied to a
collection of lighting groups to achieve different lighting modes
instantly, without the delay that programming each lighting fixture
individually incurs. The groups of one or more lighting modules
receive theme lighting information over the AC power line and each
lighting module stores the theme information in memory. The
lighting controller sends a single command to one or more lighting
groups to apply the theme. Each lighting module of the one or more
lighting groups retrieves and applies the theme information.
[0008] Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system to manage
lighting themes in a plurality of lighting modules. The system
comprises a lighting controller configured to receive AC power from
a primary AC power source and user input indicative of lighting
theme information and generate a data encoded power signal to
provide power and encoded messages based on the lighting theme
information over a two-wire network. The lighting theme information
includes a request to implement a lighting theme of a plurality of
lighting themes. The system further comprises a plurality of
lighting modules, where each lighting module of the plurality of
lighting modules is configured to receive the data encoded power
signal over the two-wire network. Each lighting module includes at
least one lamp, lamp driver circuitry, a microprocessor, and memory
storing instructions, that when executed by the processor,
configure the lighting module to decode at least a portion of the
encoded message. The first portion includes an indication of the
requested lighting theme. The instructions further configure the
lighting module to retrieve one or more stored settings for the at
least one lamp that are associated with the requested lighting
theme from the memory and execute the retrieved settings. The
lighting theme information can further comprise commands based on
the user input to implement the requested lighting theme. The
instructions can further configure each lighting module of the
plurality of lighting modules to decode a second portion of the
encoded message after executing the retrieved settings associated
with the requested lighting theme. The second portion of the
encoded message can include the commands based on the user
input.
[0009] In an embodiment, executing the retrieved settings causes
each lighting module to apply the retrieved settings to the at
least one lamp. In an embodiment, the instructions further
configure each lighting module to compare the commands based on the
user input from the decoded second portion with the one or more
stored settings to determine changes in the requested lighting
theme. In an embodiment, the instructions further configure each
lighting module to revise the one or more stored settings based on
the determined changes in the requested lighting theme. In an
embodiment, the instructions further configure each lighting module
to execute the commands based on the user input from the decoded
second portion when the comparison indicates changes in the
requested lighting theme. In an embodiment, the instructions
further configure each lighting module to replace the one or more
stored settings in the memory with the commands based on the user
input from the decoded second portion.
[0010] In an embodiment, the first portion further includes an
indication to apply the requested lighting theme. In an embodiment,
the at least one lamp is an LED, an incandescent light, a low
voltage light, or a line voltage light. In an embodiment, the
commands provide indications to control one or more of ON/OFF
times, color, color temperature, or intensity of the at least one
lamp.
[0011] Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a lighting
module comprising at least one lamp, a microprocessor, and memory
storing instructions, that when executed by the microprocessor,
cause the lighting module to receive a data encoded power signal
over a two-wire network. The data encoded power signal provides
power and encoded messages. The encoded messages include lighting
theme information indicative of a lighting theme of a plurality of
lighting themes. The instructions further cause the lighting module
to decode at least a portion of the received message, where the at
least a portion includes an indication of the lighting theme, and
execute one or more settings stored in the memory for the at least
one lamp and associated with the lighting theme based on the
indication of the lighting theme. The instructions can further
cause the lighting module to decode a second portion of the encoded
message after executing the stored settings associated with the
lighting theme. The second portion of the encoded message can
include commands associated with the lighting theme
information.
[0012] In an embodiment, the instructions further cause the
lighting module to compare the commands from the decoded second
portion with the stored settings to determine changes in the
lighting theme. In an embodiment, the instructions further cause
the lighting module to store in the memory the determined changes
in the lighting theme. In an embodiment, the instructions further
cause the lighting module to implement the commands from the
decoded second portion when the comparison indicates changes in the
lighting theme. In an embodiment, each lighting module of the
plurality of lighting modules is addressable. In an embodiment, the
at least one lamp is an LED, an incandescent light, a low voltage
light, or a line voltage light.
[0013] Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a method to
manage lighting themes in lighting modules. The method comprises
receiving at a plurality of lighting modules a data encoded power
signal over a two-wire network. The data encoded power signal
provides power and encoded messages. The encoded messages includes
lighting theme information indicative of a lighting theme of a
plurality of lighting themes. The method further comprises
decoding, with at least one lighting module of the plurality of
lighting modules, at least a portion of the received message. The
first portion includes an indication of the lighting theme. The at
least one lighting module comprises memory and at least one lamp.
The method further comprises applying, with the at least one
lighting module, one or more settings stored in the memory for the
at least one lamp and associated with the lighting theme. The
method can further comprise decoding, with the at least one
lighting module, a second portion of the encoded message after
applying the stored settings associated with the lighting theme.
The decoded second portion can include commands associated with the
lighting theme.
[0014] In an embodiment, the commands provide indications to
control one or more of ON/OFF times, color, color temperature, or
intensity of the at least one lamp. In an embodiment, the method
further comprises comparing, with the at least one lighting module,
the commands from the decoded second portion with the stored
settings to determine changes in the lighting theme. In an
embodiment, the method further comprises applying, with the at
least one lighting module, the commands from the decoded second
portion when the comparison indicates changes in the lighting
theme. In an embodiment, the method further comprises over-writing,
with the at least one lighting module, the stored settings in the
memory with the commands from the decoded second portion when the
comparison indicates changes in the lighting theme.
[0015] For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects,
advantages and novel features of the innovations have been
described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all
such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular
embodiment. Thus, the innovations may be embodied or carried out in
a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of
advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other
advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] These drawings and the associated description herein are
provided to illustrate specific embodiments and are not intended to
be limiting.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary lighting system, according
to certain embodiments.
[0018] FIGS. 2A-2H depicts exemplary data encoded power waveforms
for transmission along the two-wire path, according certain
embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary single channel
lighting module including memory to store theme information,
according to certain embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a single channel
lighting module including memory to store theme information,
according to certain embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary multichannel
lighting module including memory to store theme information,
according to certain embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a multichannel
lighting module including memory to store theme information,
according to certain embodiments.
[0023] FIG. 7A illustrates a portable lamp plugged into a wall
outlet.
[0024] FIG. 7B illustrates a control adapter that includes memory
for storing theme information and controls a portable lamp without
memory in response to the theme information, according to certain
embodiments.
[0025] FIGS. 8A-8C are flow charts illustrating a process to apply
lighting themes to one or more groups of lighting modules,
according to certain embodiments.
[0026] FIGS. 9A-9E are flow charts illustrating another process to
apply lighting themes to one or more groups of lighting modules,
according to certain embodiments.
[0027] FIGS. 10A-10E are flow charts illustrating another process
to apply lighting themes to one or more groups of lighting modules,
according to certain embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The following detailed description of certain embodiments
presents various descriptions of specific embodiments. However, the
innovations described herein can be embodied in a multitude of
different ways, for example, as defined and covered by the claims.
In this description, reference is made to the drawings where like
reference numerals can indicate identical or functionally similar
elements. It will be understood that elements illustrated in the
figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Moreover, it will be
understood that certain embodiments can include more elements than
illustrated in a drawing and/or a subset of the elements
illustrated in a drawing. Further, some embodiments can incorporate
any suitable combination of features from two or more drawings.
[0029] Aspects of this disclosure relate to lighting modules, also
referred to as lighting fixtures, which receive power and theme
data from a lighting controller over a two-wire path. The lighting
modules can include memory to store the theme data. When the
lighting modules receive a command from the lighting controller to
apply the theme, each addressed lighting module retrieves the theme
data and controls one or more of ON/OFF times, color, color
temperature, and intensity of its lights, lamps, or LEDs according
the retrieved theme data.
[0030] Some lighting systems send power to lighting modules over a
first set of wires and send data to the lighting modules over a
second set of wires. Other lighting systems send power to the
lighting modules over a first set of wires and send data over a
radio frequency (RF) communication system. Aspects of this
disclosure use a two-wire command/data path to send power and data
to the lighting modules. Advantageously, the two-wire path
eliminates the need for the second set of wires to be wired to each
lighting module, which results in a cost savings. Further, the
two-wire path eliminates the need to implement an RF receiver in
each lighting module, which also results in a cost savings. The
lighting system including the two-wire path provides flexibility to
reprogram one or more of the ON/OFF times, color, color
temperature, and intensity for one or more groups of one or more
lighting modules.
[0031] In some aspects disclosed herein, the lighting modules can
be daisy-chained to the AC power line, which can be the house or
mains wiring. This further reduces wiring costs and adds wiring
flexibility when installing the lighting system.
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary lighting system 100. The
lighting system 100 comprises a lighting controller 102 in
communication with a plurality of lighting fixtures or modules 104
through a two-wire path 126. The lighting controller 102 can
include a power supply and an operator interface. The lighting
fixtures 104 are grouped into zones 106, which are also referred to
as groups.
[0033] In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, zone 1 106a comprises
lighting fixture 1 104a, which provides illumination to a portion
of the house exterior. Zone 2 106b comprises lighting fixtures 2,
3, 4 104b, 104c, 104d, respectively, which illuminate the path,
while zone 3 106c comprises lighting fixtures 5, 6, 7, 104e, 104f,
104g, respectively, which provide accent lighting for the tree. In
other embodiments, the lighting system 100 can be configured with
more or less zones 106 and/or with more or less lighting fixtures
104 in each zone 106. While FIG. 1 illustrates an outdoor lighting
system, the lighting system 100 can be an indoor lighting system
for a residence or for a commercial application.
[0034] Typically, the lighting fixtures 104 in each zone 106 turn
ON or OFF together, but unlike some traditional lighting systems,
each zone 106 can be controlled independently of the other zones
106. In one example for the lighting system 100 illustrated in FIG.
1, zone 1 106a turns ON at dusk and turns OFF at dawn to illuminate
the front door of the house. For Halloween, the front door can be
illuminated with orange light and on Valentine's Day, the front
door can be illuminated with red light. Zone 2 106b turns ON at
dusk and turns OFF at 9 PM to illuminate the path. The intensity is
set to the maximum to provide better illumination of the path.
Finally, zone 3 turns ON at 7 PM and turns OFF at 10 PM to provide
accent lighting in the yard. The accent lighting intensity can be
set at 30%.
[0035] In one embodiment, the lighting system 100 is a residential
outdoor lighting system. In other embodiments, the lighting system
100 is used for outdoor commercial purposes to illuminate the
outside of hotels, golf courses, amusement parks, and the like, and
for indoor commercial purposes to illuminate hotel interiors,
office building interiors, airport terminals, and the like. In
further embodiments, the lighting system 100 is used to illuminate
housing developments. In yet further embodiments, the lighting
system 100 is used to illuminate art work in residences, in
museums, or the like. Many possibilities exist for the lighting
system 100 to one skilled in the art from the disclosure
herein.
[0036] The lighting controller 102 receives AC power from a primary
AC power source and addresses/data/commands/theme information from
a user and provides a data encoded power waveform, also indicated
as a data encoded power signal, to the plurality of lighting
fixtures 104 through the two-wire path 126.
[0037] The user can input the addresses/data/commands associated
with the theme information to control the lighting functions for
one or more groups or zones of lighting modules. The lighting
functions can include, for example, one or more of timing control,
dimming, brightness, color, color temperature, hue, zone
allocation, intensity, and the like. In some aspects, the lighting
controller 102 includes an operator interface panel and the user
inputs the theme information through the operator interface
panel.
[0038] In one aspect, the operator interface panel can include
operator controls, such as selection buttons, knobs, and the like,
which the user uses to input the desired theme information to the
lighting system 100, and displays and indicators to provide
feedback to the user. The operator interface panel can further
include a computer and its associated memory. The microprocessor
interfaces with the operator controls to store the theme
information in its memory and to send the theme information to be
encoded onto the power waveform. The microprocessor further
interfaces with the displays and indicators to display information
received from the lighting controller 102. The operator interface
can be buttons, virtual icons or buttons on a touch screen, voice
controlled or any user interface recognizable to an artisan from
the disclosure herein.
[0039] In another aspect, the lighting system 100 can be accessed
remotely by devices, such as laptops, computers, smart devices,
smartphones, web-enabled automobiles, and the like. For example,
the lighting system can include a mobile carrier network module
which electrically couples to the lighting controller 102 and
communicates with the World Wide Web via a mobile carrier's
network. The user can use the devices to send the theme information
to the lighting system 100. In one aspect, firmware either inside
the lighting controller 102 or in the module serves up a webpage.
In another aspect, an application is provided for
application-enabled devices, such as the laptops, computers, smart
devices, smartphones, web-enabled automobiles, and the like. The
user interacts with the application, and the application
communications with the module via the World Wide Web. In a third
aspect, a web based application is hosted on a server on the World
Wide Web. The user interacts with this webpage using the devices
which include a web browser and the application communicates with
the lighting controller 102.
[0040] U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,773,030 and 9,609,720 set forth details
relating to lighting systems including lighting controllers and
lighting modules. U.S. Pat. No. 8,773,030 titled "Low Voltage
Outdoor Lighting Power Source and Control System," issued on Jul.
8, 2014, relates to low voltage lighting systems and includes
figures and corresponding written disclosure describing
illustrative embodiments of the same. U.S. Pat. No. 9,609,720
titled "Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting Power Source and Control
System," issued on Mar. 28, 2017, relates to systems and methods
for providing power and data to lighting devices and includes
figures and corresponding written disclosure describing
illustrative embodiments of the same. U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,773,030 and
9,609,720 are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties and considered a part of this specification.
[0041] FIGS. 2A-2H illustrate various data encoded power waveforms
that provide power and data to the lighting modules 104 via the
two-wire path 126. The data encoded power waveforms can be low
voltage, such as .+-.12 VAC, high voltage, such as 110 VAC, 120
VAC, and the like. The waveforms can be square waves, sinusoidal
waves, and the like. The data can be phase modulated, amplitude
modulated, or frequency modulated onto the power waveform. Examples
of data encoding techniques that can be used to encode the data
onto the power waveform are, but not limited to frequency shift
keying, Manchester encoding, return to zero (RZ), Nonreturn to
Zero-Level (NRZ-L), Nonreturn to Zero Inverted (NRZI), Bipolar
Alternate Mark Inversion (AMI), Pseudoternary, differential
Manchester, Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK), Phase Shift Keying (PSK,
BPSK, QPSK), and the like. In an embodiment, the data encoded power
waveform comprises a sinusoidal waveform between zero
crossings.
[0042] For example, FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate frequency encoded square
waveforms; FIG. 2D illustrates a frequency encoded sinusoidal
waveform, FIGS. 2E-2G illustrate sinusoidal waveforms encoded with
a delay; and FIG. 2H illustrates a phase modulated sinusoidal
waveform. FIGS. 2A-2H are non-limiting examples of data encoded
power waveforms that can be provided by the lighting controller 102
via the two-wire path 126 to the lighting modules 104.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary single channel
lighting module 6100 that can be used with the lighting controller
102 that is capable of encoding data onto a low voltage power line.
The illustrated lighting module 6100 receives a data encoded low
voltage power waveform and comprises a bridge rectifier 6102, a
conditioning circuit 6104, a voltage regulator 6106, a
microcontroller 6108, a temperature sensor 6110, an LED driver
6112, and one or more lamps 6120. In the illustrated embodiment,
the lamps 6120 comprise LEDs. In other embodiments, the lamps 6120
can be other light emitting devices, such as, for example,
incandescent bulbs, florescent bulbs, or the like.
[0044] The bridge rectifier 6102 receives the encoded power
waveforms, from the lighting controller 102. The bridge rectifier
6102 comprises a plurality of diodes, such as, for example,
Schottky diodes, part number SBR2A40P1 available from Diodes Inc.,
or the like. The bridge rectifier 6102 converts an input signal of
any polarity into a DC signal to power the other circuits on the
lighting board. This DC signal is fed into the LED Driver 6112,
which can be a driver integrated circuit, part number AL8805
available from Diodes Inc., or an equivalent. The driver integrated
circuit uses an efficient Buck Switching topology to generate a
regulated output current which is used to power the LED(s) 6120. In
an embodiment, the LED 6120 can be a high-power LED, such as, for
example, a CREE XP-E or an equivalent.
[0045] The DC voltage output from the bridge rectifier 6102 is also
used to create a regulated logic supply voltage from the voltage
regulator 6106. In an embodiment, the voltage regulator 6106 can be
a 3-Volt regulator, such as, for example, part number TPS71530
available from Texas Instruments, or the like.
[0046] The voltage regulator 6106 supplies power to the
microcontroller 6108, such as, for example, part number PIC16F1824
available from Microchip Technology, or the like. The
microcontroller 6108 and associated firmware comprise a receiver
for the data being sent from the lighting controller 102. The
illustrated lighting module 6100 further comprises memory 6114,
which can be included in the microcontroller 6108, or can be
external to the microcontroller 6108. The memory 6114 can store one
or more of the firmware and the theme information.
[0047] A conditioning network comprising a plurality of resistor
and capacitors couples data from lighting controller 102 to the
microcontroller's comparator input while simultaneously limiting
current into the microcontroller 6108. The output of the comparator
(within the microcontroller 6108) is used to determine the nature
of the data. The microcontroller 6108 then generates a signal 6130
which is coupled to the LED Driver 6112. This signal 6130 is used
to vary the intensity of the light 6120 based on data received from
the power supply 302.
[0048] In an embodiment, part of the data received is an address
that is used to determine if the information being sent is intended
for this light 6120, as each light can have a unique address. In
other embodiments, it is also possible for certain commands to be
intended for lighting groups or zones, such as zones 106a, 106b,
and 106c. A group may be defined as a certain type of light, for
instance, a path light, or a group may be all lights in a certain
location. In yet other embodiments, commands may be intended for
all lights 6120. Therefore, using this addressing technique,
commands may affect an individual light, a group of lights, or all
lights. In another embodiment, data encoded power waveform from the
lighting controller 102 communicates an intensity pattern to the
light 6120. This could be a pre-orchestrated pattern of varying
intensities, for example. In an embodiment, the pattern may be
"canned" or preset inside the lighting fixture, or for the details
of it to be communicated from the lighting controller 102. This
feature may be useful, for example, for lighting themes which may
be synchronized to music.
[0049] The output of a comparator (within the microcontroller 6108)
can also include the phase information for the incoming data
encoded power waveform. In some aspects, this is important because
the brightness of the LED 6120 is determined by a pulse width
modulation (PWM) waveform from the microcontroller 6108. Unless
this PWM waveform is synchronized with the incoming power, visible
"flickering" may be seen as these two signals (power and PWM) are
"mixed". Therefore it is important for the microcontroller 6108 to
know the phase of the incoming power, and periodically reset a PWM
counter in order to synchronize the PWM signal to the power
waveform.
[0050] In some aspects, the microcontroller 6108 protects the
lighting module 6100 from overheating. In general, high-power LEDs
6120 generate heat. In an embodiment, the lighting module 6100
comprises the temperature sensor 6110 on the printed circuit board
of the lighting fixture 6100. The temperature sensor 6110 can be,
for example, part number MCP9700 available from Microchip
Technology, or the like. The temperature sensor's output is an
analog voltage which is read by an A/D converter in the
microcontroller 6108. The microcontroller 6108 uses this
information to "throttle back" the power to the LED 6120 when the
temperature rises above threshold temperature. The threshold
temperature can be chosen to keep the internal junction temperature
of the LED 6120 within its rated specification. The throttling is
achieved the same way the intensity variation is achieved, as
described above.
[0051] FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a single channel
lighting module 6200, according to one embodiment. In the
illustrated single channel lighting module 6200, the
microcontroller is shown with internal memory that stores the theme
information decoded from the data encoded power waveform from the
lighting controller 102.
[0052] Other lighting devices can be used with a lighting
controller 102 that is capable of encoding data on the primary AC
power line. The architecture of this line voltage lighting module
can be similar to the low voltage version 6100, 6200 disclosed
above but uses components that are rated at a voltage sufficiently
higher than the line voltage. For example, diodes D1, D2, D3, and
D4 with sufficient ratings can be 1N4007 silicon rectifier diodes
from Diodes Inc., and the like. In another example, the Zener diode
clamping circuit (shown in FIG. 4) preceding the linear regulator
U2 should be appropriately sized to handle the larger input
voltage. In other embodiments, other methods to step down the
rectified line voltage to a voltage usable by the microcontroller
U3, such as switching converters and the like, can be used.
Further, the conditioning circuit R3, R4, R5, R9, C5 should be
modified to scale the input voltage for use by the microcontroller
U3. An example of the LED Driver U1 that can accept a high input
voltage is the AL9910 from Diodes Inc. Because of the high input
voltage, these lighting modules use an external MOSFET rather than
an integral MOSFET as described in the AL8805 for the low voltage
case.
[0053] In other embodiments of the line voltage lighting module, an
optional power factor correction IC can be placed between the full
wave bridge D1, D2, D3, D4 and the rest of the circuit. A suitable
device, for example, is an UCC28810 IC available from Texas
Instruments, or the like. Advantageously, these devices drive the
power factor of nonlinear loads, such as LED drivers, closer to
unity.
[0054] In a further embodiment, the line voltage lighting modules
comprise an LED driver U1 that could be controlled from a
microcontroller U3 having an input comprising a scaled and
conditioned version of the input voltage. The microcontroller U3
deciphers the encoded data, and affects the LED driver U1
accordingly.
[0055] In some aspects, lighting modules can drive a plurality of
LEDs 6120. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary multichannel
lighting module 6300, which receives the data encoded power
waveform from the lighting controller 102, decodes and performs the
encoded commands, and uses the waveform for power. The illustrated
lighting module 6300 comprises a bridge rectifier 6302, a
conditioning circuit 6304, a voltage regulator 6306, a
microcontroller 6308, a temperature sensor 6310, a plurality of LED
drivers 6312, 6314, 6316, and 6318, and one or more LEDs 6320,
6322, 6324, and 6326. Each LED 6320, 6322, 6324, and 6326 may
comprise one or more LEDs. The illustrated lighting module 6300 is
a four channel lighting module, although other lighting modules may
have more or less than four channels.
[0056] The bridge rectifier 6302, the conditioning circuit 6304,
and the voltage regulator 6306 are similar in construction and
operation to the bridge rectifier 6102, the conditioning circuit
6104, and the voltage regulator 6106 of the single channel lighting
fixture 6100, respectively, as described above.
[0057] The four channel lighting module 6300 approximately
quadruples the LEDs 6120 and LED driver 6112 on the single-channel
lighting module 6100 with respect to the LEDs 6320, 6322, 6324,
6326 and the LED drivers 6312, 6314, 6316, 6318 for the four
channel lighting fixture 6300. Thus each LED 6320, 6322, 6324, 6326
and each LED driver 6312, 6314, 6316, 6318 is similar in
construction and operation to the LED 6120 and LED driver 6112 of
the single channel lighting module 6100, respectively, as described
above. Similarly, the microcontroller 6308 is similar in
construction and operation to the microcontroller 6108 of the
single channel lighting module 6100, as described above, except the
microcontroller 6308 controls multiple channels instead of a single
channel. In conjunction with the microcontroller 6308, the LED
drivers 6312, 6314, 6316, and 6318 allow independent brightness
control to four separate channels of LEDs. In a similar manner to
microcontroller 6108, which generates the signal 6130 to control
the intensity of LED 6120, microcontroller 6306 generates signals
6330, 6332, 6334, and 6336 to control the intensities of LEDs 6320,
6322, 6324, 6326, respectively. Each string of LEDs 6320, 6322,
6324, 6326 may comprise one or more LEDs. In other embodiments,
this approach could be used to add more channels, or to change the
number of LEDs in each string. In yet other embodiments, each LED
6320, 6322, 6324, 6326 may comprise several LED dies in a single
package with a single lens, such as, for example, the CREE MC
series of LEDs or the like.
[0058] Like the single-channel lighting module 6100, the
illustrated lighting module 6300 uses the microcontroller 6308 to
receive information from the lighting controller 102 and vary one
or more of the LED ON/OFF timing, color, color temperature, and
intensity based on this information. Since each of the four
channels can be independently controlled, the commands to the four
channel lighting fixture 6300 can include one or more of ON/OFF
timing, color, color temperature, and intensity level information
for each of the four channels.
[0059] Advantageously, in the multi-channel lighting module 6300,
each channel may comprise a different color LED 6320, 6322, 6324,
and 6326. For instance, if the first channel comprises one or more
white LEDs, the second comprises one or more red LEDs, the third
comprises green LEDs and the fourth comprise blue LEDs, then a
plurality of lighting colors could be generated by mixing the
intensities in the correct ratios. For example, the white channel
could create a brighter white light for general lighting needs, or
slightly "wash out" the color created by the red, blue, and green
LEDs. This allows the user to formulate any color of light desired,
and to vary that color and/or hue, either abruptly, or by a gradual
blending technique. Lights could also be modified to match a
particular season or holiday. For instance, red, white, and blue
colored lights could be use on the 4th of July; red and green
lights could be used around Christmas; and orange lights could be
used for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
[0060] In another embodiment, the multi-channel lighting fixture
6300 allows the user to adjust the shade of a white light. Perhaps,
for example, the user is more of a "purest" and simply prefers
white lights. The term "white" encompasses a wide range of shades
from the more "blue" cool whites, to the more "yellow" warm whites.
White LEDs by their nature are cool white. This is because a white
LED is actually a blue LED with phosphor coating that glows white.
For most people this is acceptable, but for some, a warmer white
may be desired. If one of the multi-channels were populated with a
red or yellow LED, then by varying the intensity of that channel,
the user could vary the warmth, or color temperature as it is
technically called, of the light. This is also important because
different color temperatures are better at illuminating certain
subject hues than others.
[0061] Control of individual lights or individual channels of LEDs
within a single light is advantageous. Even more advantageous is to
be able to achieve this control using the same set of wires 126
that deliver power to the light. Lastly, integrating the decoder
circuitry 6302, 6304, 6306, and 6308, the driver circuitry 6312,
6314, 6316, and 6318, and the temperature throttling 6310 on a
single printed circuit board within the lighting module 6300,
results in a highly integrated, self-contained intelligent lighting
module 6300 which is no harder to install than a tradition lighting
module.
[0062] FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a multichannel
lighting module 6400, according to one embodiment. In the
illustrated four channel lighting module 6200, the microcontroller
is shown with internal memory that stores the theme information
decoded from the data encoded power waveform from the lighting
controller 102.
[0063] FIG. 7A illustrates a lamp 700 plugged into a wall outlet.
Lamp 700 can be a stand-alone lighting fixture, such as a table top
lamp, a lighting fixture that is embedded into the construction of
a building, such as a can light, and the like. The illustrated lamp
700 comprises a power cord 704 that is plugged into a wall outlet
in a standard outlet box 706 and electrically connected to standard
line voltage wiring 708 within a building wall 710. Lamp 700 does
not include memory and cannot store theme information and cannot
act upon the theme information to produce theme modes by
itself.
[0064] FIG. 7B illustrates a control adapter 702 that includes
memory for storing theme information. The control adapter 702 can
control the lamp 700 in response to the theme information,
according to certain embodiments. Control adapter 702 can be
addressable. The control adapter 702 can be plugged into the wall
outlet 706 or otherwise in electrical communication with the line
voltage wiring 708. The illustrated lamp 700 is plugged into the
control adapter 702 or otherwise in electrical communication with
the control adapter 702. The control adapter 702 can include
circuitry to dim the lamp 700 and memory to store theme information
received via the line voltage wiring from the lighting controller
102. The control adapter 702 can control the lamp 700 according to
the theme information, such as one or more of ON/OFF timing, color,
color temperature, hue, intensity, and the like of the lamp 700, in
response to commands and data from the lighting controller 102 sent
as the data encoded power waveform over the two-wire path 126.
[0065] A control adapter 702 can be installed in can lights or
recessed lights in the ceiling. For example, many LED lights have a
pig tail wire with a connector that plugs into a mating connector
in the can light so the LED lights can be replaced. A control
adapter 702 can be configured to plug into the power line coming
from the ceiling, then the LED light can plug into another mating
connector on the control adaptor 702 so the lighting controller 102
can control each individual can light.
[0066] The control adapters 702 can allow the lighting controller
102 to operate standard lights that are readily available in the
marketplace.
Lighting Themes
[0067] Lighting modules 104, 6100, 6200, 6300, 6400 and control
adapter 702 are addressable individually and as part of a group or
zone. A group may contain one or more lighting modules and/or
control adapters, all of which are treated as single entity from a
programming and control point of view. If Group 1 is set to
illuminate at a particular time with a particular color (if
applicable) and intensity, then at that time, the lighting
controller 102 sends a command as part of the data encoded power
waveform via the two-wire path 126 to the Group 1 lighting modules
and control adapters instructing the Group 1 devices to apply that
color and intensity.
[0068] Themes are a level of control above groups. A theme is a
collection of groups, each group having at least one or more of a
uniquely programmable ON/OFF timing, color, color temperature, hue,
intensity, and the like. Themes allow lighting designers to create
different moods or modes. For instance, an outdoor patio area can
have lights of one group above a table, lights of a second group
illuminating plants on the peripheral of the seating area, and
lights of a third group illuminating a water feature. A designer or
a user could then create a "Dining Theme" where the lights above
the table can be at full brightness, and lights in the peripheral
can be more subdued. The user could also create an "Ambience Theme"
by lowering the intensity of the lights above the table, increasing
the peripheral and water feature lights, while enabling a color
wheel on the water feature. In a similar fashion, themes can be
created for seasonal events. For example, the water feature lights
can be red, white, and blue for the 4th of July, orange for
Halloween, red and green for Christmas, and green for St. Patrick's
Day.
[0069] In another example, the lights of a home's family room can
have a TV theme, where the room lights dim, and a reading theme,
where the peripheral lights dim and the light above the easy chair
increases in intensity. The home can have a vacation theme, where
lights turn ON and OFF and brighten and dim in different areas of
the house throughout the evening. The areas of the house that
illuminate can change daily.
[0070] The advantage of a theme is that once defined, it can be
scheduled to turn on automatically, or started manually with great
ease. Themes could contain hundreds of groups and groups can
include one or more lighting modules. Each lighting module can
include multiple lights. A light can be an LED, an incandescent
light, a low voltage light, a line voltage light, and the like.
Without the concept of themes, each of these groups would have to
be individually set up (each time) to create the desired
effect.
Implementation of Themes in the Lighting Control System
[0071] Themes are obviously advantageous from a lighting designer's
or the user's point of view, but add some complexity to the
lighting control system. The user can enter the theme information
through the operator interface (e.g., interface panel, smart
device, or the like) associated with the lighting controller 102.
The lighting controller 102 can store the theme information, where
the theme information comprises a definition of one or more themes.
Each theme can include the addresses of the one or more groups, and
one or more of the ON/OFF timing, color, color temperature, hue,
and/or intensity of the lights in each of the one or more groups.
Then the lighting controller 102 can apply the theme by using the
theme information to command the lighting modules 104, 6100, 6200,
6300, 6400 and control adapters 702 to create the desired
effect.
Applying Themes Using Sequential Commands
[0072] One approach to applying a theme is for the lighting
controller 102 to send out individual commands to each group
instructing one or more of ON/OFF timing, color, color temperature,
hue, and intensity. However, the visual effect while applying the
theme sequentially would be less than optimal. One by one, the user
would see the individual groups turn ON to their assigned color and
intensity as the individual commands were sent. Sometimes, there
may be a desire to control each individual light rather than
assigning them to a group. In this situation, the user would see
the individual lights turn on one by one to their assigned color
and intensity as the individual commands were sent.
Applying Themes Using Queued Commands
[0073] The visual downside of the sequential command approach can
be mitigated by using queued commands. Before sending ON commands
to the groups, the lighting controller 102 can send queued
commands. A queued command tells a lighting fixture or control
adapter to prepare to go to a specific color and intensity, but not
to apply the color and intensity until instructed by an
"apply-queued" command. This allows the lighting controller 102 to
program all of the groups using the queued command, then send out a
single apply-queued command that the lighting modules and control
adapters apply or act upon in unison. The visual effect is now one
of all the fixtures coming on at the same time or at approximately
the same time with the colors and intensities as defined in the
theme. The queued command approach may be visually superior to the
sequential command approach.
Sequential and Queued Command Approaches
[0074] In some embodiments, the queued approach may be visually
superior to the sequential approach. However, both can have a
common detriment. As mentioned above, themes may contain hundreds
of groups. Depending on the number of groups, it can take a
considerable amount of time to apply a theme due to the number of
commands that are sent as part of the data encoded power waveform.
The user can apply the theme from the lighting controller's
operator interface or from a smartphone application and see nothing
happen. Thinking the command was not received by the lighting
modules and control adapters, the user may attempt to apply the
command again. This generates a second set of commands sent over
the two-wire path 126, further increasing the data traffic. The
user may understand what is happening, but the response of the
lighting system 100 can appear very sluggish and result in a poor
user experience.
Instant Theme Features
[0075] An aspect to applying themes instantly or approximately
instantly can be to limit the number of commands sent to the
lighting modules and/or control adapters when the lighting modules
and/or control adapters apply the ON/OFF timing, color, color
temperature, hue, and/or intensity associated with the theme. This
can be accomplished by storing the definition of each theme meant
for each group in the lighting modules and control adapters before
the lighting modules and/or control adapters apply the ON/OFF
timing, color, color temperature, hue, and/or intensity associated
with the theme. The lighting module circuitry shown in FIGS. 3-6
includes a microcontroller. In some aspects the microcontroller can
include non-volatile memory such as, but not limited to, EEPROM
memory, re-writeable FLASH memory, both, and the like. The memory
can be used to store the ON/OFF timing, color, color temperature,
hue and/or intensity settings for multiple themes of each of the
groups associated with the lighting module and/or control adapter.
In another aspect, the lighting module circuitry and the control
adapter circuitry can include an external non-volatile memory chip
in communication with the microcontroller to store the theme
information. Each lighting module and control adapter can be taught
the information associated with each theme for a particular
group.
[0076] In an embodiment, the lighting controller 102 transmits a
data encoded power signal or waveform over a two-wire network. The
data encoded power signal can include an encoded message. The
encoded message can include commands associated with lighting
themes. The commands associated with the lighting themes can be
based on user input entered by a user at the lighting controller
102.
[0077] The encoded message can include a first portion that
includes a command comprising an indication of a lighting theme of
a plurality of lighting themes. The first portion of the message
can further include a qualifier that provides information or
instructions associated with the indicated lighting theme. The
qualifier and the indication of the lighting theme may be part of
the same command. In other aspects, the qualifier and the
indication of the lighting theme are not included in the same
command. Examples of the information or instructions of the
qualifier can be apply or turn ON the indicated lighting theme,
turn OFF the indicated lighting theme, end of message or apply END
to indicate that the sequence of commands in the message is
complete, a notification that the theme settings for the identified
theme have changed, and the like.
[0078] The encoded message can include a second portion that
comprises one or more commands that can include settings or other
information that the lighting modules apply to create the indicated
theme. The settings or other information can include one or more of
ON/OFF timing, color settings, color temperature, hue, intensity
settings, and the like for the indicated lighting theme that the
lighting modules apply to the one or more lamps of the lighting
module.
[0079] The data encoded power signal can further include one or
more lighting module addresses or one or more group addresses for
groups of lighting modules.
[0080] The lighting modules can receive the data encoded power
signal from the lighting controller 102 via the two-wire network
and can decode at least the addresses. An addressed lighting module
can further decode at least a portion of the encoded message.
[0081] In one aspect, the addressed lighting module can determine
the indicated theme from the first portion of the message and store
the settings from the second portion of the message.
[0082] In another aspect, the addressed lighting module can
determine the indicated theme from a first portion of the message,
determine the instructions from the first portion of the message,
retrieve from memory the stored settings associated with the
indicated theme and apply the retrieved settings to one or more
lamps within the lighting module. The memory including the stored
settings can be non-volatile memory. After applying the stored
settings to the one or more lamps, the lighting module can compare
the stored settings with the settings of the second portion of the
message to determine whether the indicated theme has changed. The
lighting controller can save the settings of the second portion of
the message in RAM or other temporary storage prior to comparing.
When the indicated theme has changed, the lighting module can apply
the new settings from the commands in the second portion of the
message to the one or more lamps and over-write in the memory
(e.g., non-volatile memory) the stored settings with the new
settings.
[0083] If there are no settings for the indicated theme stored in
the memory, the lighting module can apply the new settings from the
commands in the second portion of the message and store the new
settings in the memory.
[0084] In another aspect, the addressed lighting module can
determine the indicated theme from a first portion of the message
and determine the instructions from the first portion of the
message, where the instructions include an indication that one or
more settings associated with the indicated theme have changed.
When the settings associated with the indicated theme have changed,
the lighting module can apply the new settings from the commands in
the second portion of the message to the one or more lamps and
over-write in the memory (e.g., non-volatile memory) stored setting
with the new settings without comparing.
Instant Theme Command Examples
[0085] The following command and payloads comprise non-limiting
examples of commands and payloads that can be used to implement the
instant theme features in the lighting modules and control
adapters. In other embodiments, different commands and payloads can
be used to implement the instant theme features.
"Teach Theme" Command Example (1 Byte Payload)
[0086] This command can used to store information in the light
fixture's memory. T5 . . . T0 comprise examples of the binary
representation of the Theme Index. For example, allowable values
can be 0 to 51 when there is sufficient memory in the light
fixtures to store 51 themes. In other embodiments, there can be
more or less than 51 themes. Examples: 0=Theme A, 1=Theme B,
etc.
Payload Example:
TABLE-US-00001 [0087] MSB LSB 0 0 T5 T4 T3 T2 T1 T0
"Apply Theme" Command Example (1 Byte Payload)
[0088] This command can be used to turn ON/OFF a theme that is
stored in the lighting fixture's memory, and can also convey that
the theme has changed in the controller. Q1 and Q0 represent
examples of binary qualifiers. In other embodiments there can be
more than or less than two binary qualifiers associated with the
command. T5 . . . T0 comprise examples of the binary representation
of the Theme Index. For example, allowable values can be 0 to 51
when there is sufficient memory in the light fixtures to store 51
themes. In other embodiments, there can be more or less than 51
themes. Examples: 0=Theme A, 1=Theme B, etc.
Payload Example:
TABLE-US-00002 [0089] MSB LSB Q1 Q0 T5 T4 T3 T2 T1 T0
TABLE-US-00003 Q1 Q0 Meaning 0 0 Apply END - this case indicates
the completion of a series of commands that started with an ON or
LEARN or TEACH command. For example, the Apply END qualifier
indicates to the lighting fixture that the sequence of commands is
complete. In one embodiment, T5 . . . T0 can be set to 000000. 0 1
Theme ON - the theme identified in T5 . . .T0 is being turned ON. 1
0 Theme OFF - the theme identified in T5 . . . T0 is being turned
OFF. 1 1 Theme LEARN - indicates that the information following the
command (for the theme identified in T5 . . . T0) has changed since
it was last sent and should not be acted upon immediately, because
the values stored in the lighting fixture may be different from the
message that follows the Apply Theme Command.
"Queue White Intensity" Command Example (1 Byte Payload)
[0090] This command can be used with non-color lighting fixtures
and instructs the lighting fixture to prepare to apply an intensity
setting once the "Apply END" command is received. W7 . . . W0
comprise examples of the binary representation of the intensity
setting of the white LED. In an embodiment, allowable values can be
0-100.
Payload Example
TABLE-US-00004 [0091] MSB LSB W7 W6 W5 W4 W3 W2 W1 W0
"Queue RGBW Intensity" Command (4 Byte Payload)
[0092] This command can be typically used with color fixtures and
instructs the fixture to prepare to apply the intensity settings
once the "Apply END" command is received.
Payload Byte 0 Example
TABLE-US-00005 [0093] MSB LSB W7 W6 W5 W4 W3 W2 W1 W0
W7 . . . W0 comprise examples of the binary representation of the
intensity setting of the white LED. In an embodiment, allowable
values can be 0-100.
Payload Byte 1 Example
TABLE-US-00006 [0094] MSB LSB R7 R6 R5 R4 R3 R2 R1 R0
R7 . . . R0 comprise examples of the binary representation of the
intensity setting of the red LED. In an embodiment, allowable
values can be 0-100.
Payload Byte 2 Example
TABLE-US-00007 [0095] MSB LSB G7 G6 G5 G4 G3 G2 G1 G0
G7 . . . G0 comprise examples of the binary representation of the
intensity setting of the green LED. In an embodiment, allowable
values can be 0-100.
Payload Byte 3 Example
TABLE-US-00008 [0096] MSB LSB B7 B6 B5 B4 B3 B2 B1 B0
B7 . . . B0 comprise examples of the binary representation of the
intensity setting of the blue LED. In an embodiment, allowable
values can be 0-100.
Teach Approach
[0097] In one embodiment, a "Teach-Theme" command can be used to
transfer the meaning of a theme to each group of one or more
lighting modules and/or control adapters. This command can target a
particular group and include one or more of ON/OFF timing, color,
color temperature, hue, intensity, and a theme designator (number).
After receiving the teach-theme command, the lighting module and
control adapter can store the information associated with the
teach-theme command in non-volatile memory. After each lighting
module and control adapter of each group is taught the meaning of
each theme that the group is included in, the teaching process can
be complete.
[0098] After the lighting modules and control adapters are taught
their group's settings for each theme, the lighting controller 102
can send a global "apply theme X" command, where X can be the theme
number or designator, to the lighting modules and control adapters
in the data encoded power waveform via the two-wire path 126. Upon
receiving the apply theme X command, the lighting modules and
control adapters can retrieve the settings associated with theme X
from their non-volatile memory and instantly apply the ON/OFF
timing, color, color temperature, hue, and intensity associated
with theme X. The end result is that a theme can be applied across
the entire lighting system 100 with a single command. There are a
few different approaches that can be used to teach the themes.
[0099] The lighting controller 102 can automatically detect when a
user modifies the settings in a theme, and automatically teach the
new settings to the appropriate groups. The approach can cause the
lighting controller 102 to apply power to the two-wire path 126
each time the user modifies a theme. This may prove troublesome
since another worker may still be installing lights, and not
expecting the lighting system 100 to be powered.
[0100] In another embodiment, the operator interface can include a
"teach theme" function, which the user can activate in order to
teach the themes to the lighting modules and control adapters.
[0101] The lighting controller 102 can be programmed to teach
themes at a predetermined time, such as midnight, every day.
Example Command Sequences
[0102] Once the user has programmed a theme into the lighting
controller 102, the user can instruct the lighting controller 102
to teach the programmed theme to the lighting modules so that at a
later time, the lighting modules can instantly or approximately
instantly apply the theme.
Teach Approach Example Commands
[0103] Once the user has programmed a theme into the lighting
controller 102, the user can instruct the lighting controller 102
to teach the programmed theme to the lighting modules so that at a
later time, the lighting modules can instantly or approximately
instantly apply the theme. Examples of command sequences sent by
the lighting controller 102 to the lighting modules to teach a
theme to the lighting modules are illustrated below.
Example of Non-Color Command Sequence
TABLE-US-00009 [0104] Command Payload(s) Result Teach Theme Byte1 -
00000010 (Theme "B") Lighting modules receive this command and
program the information following the command into memory in the
"Theme B" non-volatile memory slot. Queue White Byte1 - 00001111
(Int = 15%) Lighting modules store the Intensity payload value (15%
intensity in this example) into RAM. Apply Theme Byte1 - 00000000
Lighting modules copy the (Apply End intensity value from RAM to
Variant) Theme B non-volatile memory slot. At a later time Apply
Theme Byte1 - 01000010 (Theme "B" ON) Lighting modules receive the
(Theme ON "01" in bits 7 and 6 and "000010" Variant) in bits 5-0
and decode as a Theme B ON. Lighting modules then retrieve the
Theme B setting from non-volatile memory and apply the retrieved
intensity to the LED(s).
Example of Color Command Sequence
TABLE-US-00010 [0105] Command Payload(s) Result Teach Theme Byte1 -
00000010 (Theme "B") Lighting modules receive this command and
program the information following the command into memory in the
"Theme B" non-volatile memory slot. Queue RGBW Byte1 - 00001111
(white Int = 15%) Lighting modules store the Intensity Byte2 -
00000000 (red Int = 0%) payload values into RAM. Byte3 - 00100000
(green Int = 32%) Byte4 - 00101000 (blue Int = 40%) Apply Theme
Byte1 - 00000000 Lighting modules copy intensity (Apply End values
from RAM to the Variant) appropriate Theme B non- volatile memory
slot. At a later time Apply Theme Byte1 - 01000010 (Theme "B" ON)
Lighting modules receive the (Theme ON "01" in bits 7 and 6 and
"000010" Variant) in bits 5-0 decode as a Theme B ON. Lighting
modules then retrieve the Theme B settings from non-volatile memory
and apply the retrieved intensities to the LEDs.
[0106] FIGS. 8A-8C are flow charts illustrating a teach process 800
to apply a lighting theme to a collection of groups of lighting
modules and control adapters, according to certain embodiments.
[0107] At block 802, the user enters or modifies the theme X
program and at block 804, the lighting controller 102 can store the
theme X information in its memory.
[0108] At block 806, the first group of one or more lighting
modules and/or control adapters can download the theme X
information. For example, the first group of the one or more
lighting modules and/or control adapters can receive and decode the
theme X information from the data encoded power waveform sent over
the two-wire path 126 by the lighting controller 102. At block 808,
the first group of the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can store the theme X information in their memory.
[0109] At block 816, the second group of one or more lighting
modules and/or control adapters can download the theme X
information. For example, the second group of the one or more
lighting modules and/or control adapters can receive and decode the
theme X information from the data encoded power waveform sent over
the two-wire path 126 by the lighting controller 102. At block 818,
the second group of the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can store the theme X information in their memory.
[0110] These steps are repeated for each group associated or
identified in the theme X information, until at block 826, the last
group of one or more lighting modules and/or control adapters can
download the theme X information. For example, the last group of
the one or more lighting modules and/or control adapters can
receive and decode the theme X information from the data encoded
power waveform sent over the two-wire path 126 by the lighting
controller 102. At block 828, the last group of the one or more
lighting modules and/or control adapters can store the theme X
information in their memory.
[0111] At block 830, the lighting controller 102 can send the apply
theme X command over the two-wire path 126 to the one or more
lighting modules and control adapters of the lighting system 100.
At block 832, the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can receive and decode the apply theme X command from the
data encoded power waveform sent over the two-wire path 126 by the
lighting controller 102. The one or more lighting modules and the
control adapters can retrieve the theme X information stored in
their memory, and the one or more lighting modules can illuminate
and the one or more control adapters can cause their associated
lamps 700 to illuminate in accordance with the previously
downloaded instructions for theme X that are stored in the memory
of each of the one or more lighting modules and control adapters
that are associated with the theme X program.
[0112] At block 834, the lighting controller 102 can send the turn
theme X OFF command over the two-wire path 126 to the one or more
lighting modules and control adapters of the lighting system 100.
At block 836, the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can receive and decode the turn theme X OFF command from
the data encoded power waveform sent over the two-wire path 126 by
the lighting controller 102. The one or more lighting modules and
the lamps 700 of the one or more control adapters associated with
theme X turn off.
[0113] Blocks 838-844 illustrate the teach approach when no new
settings are entered for theme X. The lighting system 100 can
operate theme X according to the settings stored in the memory of
the one or more lighting modules and control adapters and in
response to a user defined schedule or command.
[0114] At block 838, the lighting controller 102 can send the apply
theme X command over the two-wire path 126 to the one or more
lighting modules and control adapters of the lighting system 100.
At block 840, the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can receive and decode the apply theme X command from the
data encoded power waveform sent over the two-wire path 126 by the
lighting controller 102. The one or more lighting modules and the
control adapters can retrieve the theme X information stored in
their memory, and the one or more lighting modules can illuminate
and the one or more control adapters can cause their associated
lamps 700 to illuminate in accordance with the previously
downloaded instructions for theme X that are stored in the memory
of each of the lighting modules and control adapters.
[0115] At block 842, the lighting controller 102 can send the turn
theme X OFF command over the two-wire path 126 to the one or more
lighting modules and control adapters of the lighting system 100.
At block 844, the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can receive and decode the turn theme X OFF command from
the data encoded power waveform sent over the two-wire path 126 by
the lighting controller 102. The one or more lighting modules and
the lamps 700 of the one or more control adapters associated with
theme X turn off.
Learn Approach
[0116] The learn approach can be similar to the teach approach in
that once the individual lighting modules and control adapters have
stored the theme information (i.e., understand the meaning of a
theme), a single command can be used to apply the theme. In the
learn approach to the instant theme feature, commands to apply
theme X from the lighting controller 102 are preceded by a
theme-designation command. The theme-designation command can alert
the lighting modules and control adapters that a particular theme
is about to be applied.
[0117] Each lighting module and control adapter receives and
decodes the theme-designation command, retrieves the settings from
memory that are associated with the theme, if any are stored, and
applies the settings immediately. The lighting modules and control
adapters then "listen" to the commands that follow the
theme-designation command and update their non-volatile memory with
the applicable theme information from the commands, if there has
been a change.
[0118] A new lighting system 100 or a new lighting module or
control adapter installed in an existing lighting system will not
have theme information stored in its memory. The first time a theme
is applied to the lighting system, the user may observe a delay in
the application of the theme to the new lighting system, the new
lighting module, or the lamp associated with the control adapter.
Subsequent theme applications after the initial theme application
will not incur the same delay as the initial theme application
because the lighting modules and control adapters have stored theme
information during the initial application.
[0119] In an embodiment, the theme-designation command can include
a change field that has a first value when the theme information in
the lighting controller changes, and has a second value when the
theme information has not been changed. Lighting modules and
control adapters can determine whether the theme information has
changed based on the change field. When the lighting modules and
control adapters determine that the theme information has changed,
they would delay applying the theme until the new information
associated with the theme is received.
[0120] The learn theme implementation of the instant theme feature
achieves the desired result without any action by the user, such as
"teaching" the fixtures, or any autonomous action by the lighting
controller that may confuse the user, such as powering the data
encoded power waveform when the user is not expecting it to be
powered.
Learn Approach Example Commands
Learn Approach "A" Example
[0121] In this scenario, the user could have previously programmed
a theme into the lighting controller 102, and it is now time for
the lighting modules to apply the theme. Examples of command
sequences sent by the lighting controller 102 to the lighting
modules to instruct the lighting modules to apply the theme are
illustrated below.
Example of Non-Color Command Sequence
TABLE-US-00011 [0122] Command Payload(s) Result Apply Theme Byte1 -
01000010 Lighting modules receive this (Theme ON (Theme "B")
command and if the lighting Variant) modules have information
stored in non-volatile memory for Theme B, the lighting modules set
the LED intensity based on the stored information. Then the
lighting modules receive the rest of the command sequence. Queue
White Byte1 - 00001111 Lighting modules store the Intensity (Int =
15%) payload value (15% intensity in this example) into RAM. Apply
Theme Byte1 - 00000000 Lighting modules compare the (Apply End
value stored in RAM to the value Variant) stored in non-volatile
memory for theme B. When the comparison indicates that the values
are the same, the process stops. When the comparison indicates that
the values are different, the lighting modules apply the intensity
in RAM to their respective LED(s) and over-write the Theme B value
in non-volatile memory with the value from RAM.
Example of Non-Color Command Sequence
TABLE-US-00012 [0123] Command Payload(s) Result Apply Theme Byte1 -
01000010 Lighting modules receive this (Theme ON (Theme "B")
command and if the lighting Variant) modules have information
stored in non-volatile memory for Theme B, the lighting modules
immediately set the LEDs intensities based on the stored
information. Then the lighting modules receive the rest of the
command sequence. Queue RGBW Byte1 - 00001111 Lighting modules
store the Intensity (white Int = 15%) payload values into RAM.
Byte2 - 00000000 (red Int = 0%) Byte3 - 00100000 (green Int = 32%)
Byte4 - 00101000 (blue Int = 40%) Apply Theme Byte1 - 00000000
Lighting modules compare the (Apply End values stored in RAM to the
Variant) respective values stored in non- volatile memory for theme
B. When the comparison indicates that the values are the same, the
process stops. When the comparison indicates that the values are
different, the lighting modules apply the intensities in RAM to the
respective LEDs and over-write the Theme B values in non-volatile
memory with the respective values from RAM.
[0124] FIGS. 9A-9E are flow charts illustrating a learn process 900
to apply a lighting theme to a collection of one or more groups of
lighting modules, according to certain embodiments.
[0125] At block 902, the user can enter or modify a theme Y
program, and at block 904, the lighting controller 102 can store
the theme Y information in its memory or update the theme Y
information according to the user entered modifications.
[0126] At block 906, the user can enter the instructions to turn on
theme Y at the lighting controller 102. At block 908, the lighting
controller 102 can send the apply theme Y designation command over
the two-wire path 126 to the one or more lighting modules and
control adapters of the lighting system 100. At block 910, the one
or more lighting modules and/or control adapters can receive and
decode the apply theme Y designation command from the data encoded
power waveform sent over the two-wire path 126 by the lighting
controller 102. The one or more lighting modules and control
adapters can retrieve the theme Y information stored in their
memory, and the one or more lighting modules can illuminate and the
one or more control adapters can cause their associated lamps 700
to illuminate in accordance with the previously downloaded
instructions for theme Y that are stored in the memory of each of
the lighting modules and control adapters.
[0127] At block 912, the lighting controller 102 can send theme
information to the groups of one or more lighting modules and
control adapters assigned or associated with theme Y in the data
encoded power waveform via the two-wire path 126. In one aspect,
the lighting controller 102 can send all of the theme Y
information. In another aspect, the lighting controller 102 can
send a portion of the theme Y information, such as settings
associated with theme Y that have changed.
[0128] At block 914, the first group of one or more lighting
modules and/or control adapters can download the theme Y
information. For example, the first group of the one or more
lighting modules and/or control adapters can receive and decode the
theme Y information from the data encoded power waveform sent over
the two-wire path 126 by the lighting controller 102. At block 916,
the first group of the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can then store the theme Y information in their memory. At
block 918, the first group of the one or more lighting modules
and/or control adapters can illuminate according to the theme Y
information retained in their memory.
[0129] At block 924, the second group of one or more lighting
modules and/or control adapters can download the theme Y
information. For example, the second group of the one or more
lighting modules and/or control adapters can receive and decode the
theme Y information from the data encoded power waveform sent over
the two-wire path 126 by the lighting controller 102. At block 926,
the second group of the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can then store the theme Y information in their memory. At
block 928, the second group of the one or more lighting modules
and/or control adapters can illuminate according to the theme Y
information retained in their memory.
[0130] These steps are repeated for each group associated or
identified in the theme Y information, until at block 934, the last
group of the one or more lighting modules and/or control adapters
can download the theme Y information. For example, the last group
of the one or more lighting modules and/or control adapters can
receive and decode the theme Y information from the data encoded
power waveform sent over the two-wire path 126 by the lighting
controller 102. At block 936, the last group of the one or more
lighting modules and/or control adapters can then store the theme Y
information in their memory. At block 938, the last group of the
one or more lighting modules and/or control adapters can illuminate
according to the theme Y information retained in their memory.
[0131] At block 940, the lighting controller 102 can send the turn
theme Y OFF command over the two-wire path 126 to the one or more
lighting modules and control adapters of the lighting system 100.
At block 942, the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can receive and decode the turn theme Y OFF command from
the data encoded power waveform sent over the two-wire path 126 by
the lighting controller 102. The one or more lighting modules and
the lamps 700 of the one or more control adapters associated with
theme Y turn off.
[0132] Blocks 946-952 illustrate the learn approach when no new
settings are entered for theme Y. The lighting system 100 can
operate theme Y according to the settings stored in the memory of
the one or more lighting modules and control adapters and in
response to a user defined schedule or command.
[0133] At block 946, the lighting controller 102 can send the apply
theme Y command over the two-wire path 126 to the one or more
lighting modules and control adapters of the lighting system 100.
At block 948, the lighting controller 102 can retrieve the theme Y
information from memory to verify that the theme Y information has
been previously downloaded.
[0134] At block 950, the one or more lighting modules and/or
control adapters can receive and decode the apply theme Y command
from the data encoded power waveform sent over the two-wire path
126 by the lighting controller 102. At block 952, the lighting
modules and the control adapters can retrieve the theme Y
information stored in their memory, and the one or more lighting
modules can illuminate and the one or more control adapters can
cause their associated lamps 700 to illuminate in accordance with
the previously downloaded instructions for theme Y that are stored
in the memory of each of the one or more lighting modules and
control adapters.
[0135] At block 954, the lighting controller 102 can send the turn
theme Y OFF command over the two-wire path 126 to the one or more
lighting modules and control adapters of the lighting system 100.
At block 956, the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can receive and decode the turn theme Y OFF command from
the data encoded power waveform sent over the two-wire path 126 by
the lighting controller 102. The lighting modules and the lamps 700
of the control adapters associated with theme Y turn off.
[0136] In an embodiment, if the user changed the definition of
Theme B, for example, stored in the lighting controller 102 after
the lighting modules stored or "learned` the "old" or previous
Theme B definition, then when the lighting modules apply the theme
a first time after the change, the lighting modules may apply the
old or previous intensity values. After receiving the entire
command sequence, the lighting module would apply new values. The
following command sequence provides an example that can avoid this
situation.
Learn Approach "B" Example
[0137] In this scenario, the user supplies the lighting controller
102 with information that the user may have adjusted the settings
associated with theme B (in this example) such that the settings
stored in the lighting fixtures for theme B are no longer valid and
it is now time for the lighting modules to apply the theme.
Examples of command sequences sent by the lighting controller 102
to the lighting modules to instruct the lighting modules to apply
the theme are illustrated below.
Example of Non-Color Command Sequence
TABLE-US-00013 [0138] Command Payload(s) Result Apply Theme Byte1 -
11000010 Lighting modules receive the (Theme LEARN (Theme "B") "11"
in bits 7 and 6 and Variant) "000010" in bits 5-0 decode as new
theme information for theme B. The lighting modules do not apply
the setting stored in non-volatile memory. Instead, the lighting
modules wait for the command sequence to complete. Queue White
Byte1 - 00001111 Lighting modules store the Intensity (Int = 15%)
payload value (15% in this example) into RAM. Apply Theme Byte1 -
00000000 Lighting modules now set the (Apply End LED to the
intensity stored in Variant) RAM and over-write the Theme B
non-volatile memory settings with this new value.
Example of Color Command Sequence
TABLE-US-00014 [0139] Command Payload(s) Result Apply Theme Byte1 -
11000010 Lighting modules receive the (Theme LEARN (Theme "B") "11"
in bits 7 and 6 and variant) "000010" in bits 5-0 decode as new
theme information for theme B. The lighting modules do not apply
the setting stored in non-volatile memory. Instead, the lighting
modules wait for the command sequence to complete. Queue RGBW Byte1
- 00001111 Lighting modules store the Intensity (white Int = 15%)
payload values into RAM. Byte2 - 00000000 (red Int = 0%) Byte3 -
00100000 (green Int = 32%) Byte4 - 00101000 (blue Int = 40%) Apply
Theme Byte1 - 00000000 Lighting modules now set the (Apply End LEDs
to the respective Variant) intensities stored in RAM and over-write
the respective Theme B non-volatile memory settings with these new
values.
[0140] FIGS. 10A-10E are flow charts illustrating another learn
process 1000 to apply a lighting theme to a collection of one or
more groups of lighting modules and control adapters, according to
certain embodiments.
[0141] At block 1002, the user can enter the instructions at the
lighting controller 102 to turn on theme N. The lighting controller
102 can determine whether there are any changes to the theme N
program at blocks 1004 and 1006. When the user has created a new
theme N program that did not exist before or modified an existing
theme N program, the process 1000 moves from block 1006 to block
1006a.
[0142] Block 1006a illustrates the user entering the instructions
to turn on theme N where the user has entered a new theme N program
or modified an existing theme N program since the last operation to
theme N, as was described above with respect to block 1006. At
block 1008, the lighting controller 102 can access the lighting
program in its memory. The lighting controller 102 can store the
new or modified theme N information when it was input into the
lighting controller 102 by the user at block 1006. The lighting
controller 102 can send theme N information to the groups of one or
more lighting modules and control adapters assigned or associated
with theme N in the data encoded power waveform via the two-wire
path 126.
[0143] At block 1010, the first group of one or more lighting
modules and/or control adapters can download the theme N
information. For example, the first group of the one or more
lighting modules and/or control adapters can receive and decode the
theme N information from the data encoded power waveform sent over
the two-wire path 126 by the lighting controller 102.
[0144] In one aspect, at block 1012, the first group of the one or
more lighting modules and/or control adapters can then store the
theme N information in their memory. At block 1014 the first group
of the one or more lighting modules and/or control adapters can
illuminate according to the theme N information retained in their
memory.
[0145] In another aspect, at block 1013, the first group of the one
or more lighting modules and/or control adapters can compare the
new theme N information with the existing theme N information
stored in their memory. If the theme N information for the first
group of the one or more lighting modules and control adapters has
not changed, the first group of one or more lighting modules and/or
control adapters can illuminate according to the theme N
information retained in their memory.
[0146] At block 1020, the second group of one or more lighting
modules and/or control adapters can download the theme N
information. For example, the second group of the one or more
lighting modules and/or control adapters can receive and decode the
theme N information from the data encoded power waveform sent over
the two-wire path 126 by the lighting controller 102.
[0147] In one aspect, at block 1022, the second group of the one or
more lighting modules and/or control adapters can then store the
theme N information in their memory. At block 1024 the second group
of the one or more lighting modules and/or control adapters can
illuminate according to the theme N information retained in their
memory.
[0148] In another aspect, at block 1023, the second group of the
one or more lighting modules and/or control adapters can compare
the new theme N program with the existing program stored in their
memory. If the theme N information for the second group of one or
more lighting modules and control adapters has not changed, the
second group of the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can illuminate according to the theme N information
retained in their memory.
[0149] These steps are repeated for each group of one or more
lighting modules and control adapters associated or identified in
the theme N information, until at block 1030, the last group of the
one or more lighting modules and/or control adapters can download
the theme N information. For example, the last group of the one or
more lighting modules and/or control adapters can receive and
decode the theme N information from the data encoded power waveform
sent over the two-wire path 126 by the lighting controller 102.
[0150] In one aspect, at block 1032, the last group of the one or
more lighting modules and/or control adapters can then store the
theme N information in memory. At block 1034 the last group of one
or more lighting modules and/or control adapters can illuminate
according to the theme N information retained in their memory.
[0151] In another aspect, at block 1033, the last group of the one
or more lighting modules and/or control adapters can compare the
new theme N program with the existing program stored in their
memory. If the theme N program for the last group of the one or
more lighting modules and control adapters has not changed, the
last group of the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can illuminate according to the theme N information
retained in their memory.
[0152] At block 1036, the lighting controller 102 can send the turn
theme N OFF command over the two-wire path 126 to the one or more
lighting modules and control adapters of the lighting system 100.
At step 1038, the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can receive and decode the turn theme N OFF command from
the data encoded power waveform sent over the two-wire path 126 by
the lighting controller 102. The one or more lighting modules and
the lamps 700 of the one or more control adapters associated with
theme N turn off.
[0153] Referring to blocks 1002, 1004, 1006, the user can enter the
command at the lighting controller 102 to turn on theme N at block
1002 and the lighting controller 102 determines whether there are
any changes to the theme N program at blocks 1004 and 1006. When
the user has not modified an existing theme N program, the process
1000 moves from block 1004 to block 1004a.
[0154] Block 1004a illustrates the user entering the instructions
turn on theme N where the user has not made any changes to the
theme N program, as was described above with respect to block 1004.
At block 1040, the lighting controller 102 can access the lighting
program in its memory. The lighting controller 102 can send the
turn on theme N-no changes command in the data encoded power
waveform via the two-wire path 126 to the one or more lighting
modules and/or control adapters in communication with the lighting
controller 102.
[0155] At block 1042, the one or more lighting modules and/or
control adapters in communication with the lighting controller 102
receive and decode the turn on theme N-no changes command from the
lighting controller 102.
[0156] In one aspect, at block 1044, the one or more lighting
modules and/or control adapters with theme N information retained
in their memory illuminate in accordance with the theme N
information retained in their memory.
[0157] In another aspect, at block 1045, the lighting controller
102 can send the theme N information to the one or more lighting
modules and/or control adapters after sending the turn on theme
N-no changes command. The one or more lighting modules and/or
control adapters can receive and store the theme N information in
their memory. This can insure that the one or more lighting modules
and/or control adapters are illuminating according to the theme N
information.
[0158] At block 1046, the lighting controller 102 can send the turn
theme N OFF command over the two-wire path 126 to the one or more
lighting modules and control adapters of the lighting system 100.
At step 1048, the one or more lighting modules and/or control
adapters can receive and decode the turn theme N OFF command from
the data encoded power waveform sent over the two-wire path 126 by
the lighting controller 102. The one or more lighting modules and
the lamps 700 of the one or more control adapters associated with
theme N turn off.
Terminology
[0159] It should be noted that in any of these implementations what
is described as several messages can be combined into one, or what
is described as one message can be broken into several.
[0160] Depending on the embodiment, certain acts, events, or
functions of any of the algorithms described herein can be
performed in a different sequence, can be added, merged, or left
out altogether (e.g., not all described acts or events are
necessary for the practice of the algorithm). Moreover, in certain
embodiments, acts or events can be performed concurrently, e.g.,
through multi-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or
multiple processors or processor cores or on other parallel
architectures, rather than sequentially.
[0161] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and
algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments
disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware,
computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate
this interchangeability of hardware and software, various
illustrative components, blocks, modules, and steps have been
described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether
such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends
upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on
the overall system. The described functionality can be implemented
in varying ways for each particular application, but such
implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a
departure from the scope of the disclosure.
[0162] The various illustrative logical blocks and modules
described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can
be implemented or performed by a machine, such as a general purpose
processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array
(FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or
transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination
thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A
general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the
alternative, the processor can be a controller, microcontroller, or
state machine, combinations of the same, or the like. A processor
can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices,
e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0163] The steps of a method, process, or algorithm described in
connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied
directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor,
or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM
memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,
registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form
of computer-readable storage medium known in the art. An exemplary
storage medium can be coupled to the processor such that the
processor can read information from, and write information to, the
storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be
integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium can
reside in an ASIC.
[0164] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others,
"can," "might," "may," "e.g.," and the like, unless specifically
stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as
used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments
include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features,
elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not
generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states
are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or
more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding whether
these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be
performed in any particular embodiment. The terms "comprising,"
"including," "having," and the like are synonymous and are used
inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude
additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth.
Also, the term "or" is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its
exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list
of elements, the term "or" means one, some, or all of the elements
in the list.
[0165] While the above detailed description has shown, described,
and pointed out novel features as applied to various embodiments,
it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and
changes in the form and details of the devices or algorithms
illustrated can be made without departing from the spirit of the
disclosure. As will be recognized, certain embodiments of the
inventions described herein can be embodied within a form that does
not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as
some features can be used or practiced separately from others. The
scope of certain inventions disclosed herein is indicated by the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All
changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of
the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
* * * * *